Ex-Halo composer Martin O’Donnell and his previously employer Harold Ryan of Bungie Software have ended their dispute in a lawsuit filing over O’Donnell’s alleged firing, which O’Donnell stated was “without cause”. Seattle’s King County Superior Court judge Jeffrey Ramsdell oversaw the deal in which saw Ryan will pay “more than” $95,000 (£56,ooo) to O’Donnell in damages.
The story started back in April, when O’Donnell - who was at work on the soundtrack for the upcoming FPS/MMO Destiny - was dismissed by his employer Bungie. At the time Bungie made a public statement suggesting that the break-up was amicable. O’Donnell however disagreed, taking issue with a lack of unused vacation, paid time off, sabbatical time, and other benefits - terms in which he said Bungie promised to pay him.
O’Donnell filed a lawsuit against his formal employer on May 1 with the Superior Court in King County (Washington), in addition to pursuing some of his greivances through arbitration. Now it seems that the Court agreed with his claim and approved a settlement that will see O’Donnell compensated for his losses.
The exact sum of the payout comes to $95,019.13 and is broken up into $38,385 being compensation for unpaid work/vacation time, $38,385 in double damages and the remainder covering attorney’s fees and interests.
It’s been a a hectic few months for O’Donnell, Ryan and Ryan’s employer Activision. With the legal dispute settled O’Donnell and Bungie may part ways for good, but O’Donnell’s compositions will continue to be heard in Destiny, including in the on-going beta.
Shehzaan Abdulla
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